Ride 2 Recovery cyclists being escorted through Bergen County. Riders entered the state in Alpine and went along Route 9W to Fort Lee. "I'm focused on a brighter picture," one rider said.

After three deployments to Afghanistan, during which he suffered injuries from improvised explosive devices, Gonzalez-Chacon returned in December, dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury. But Gonzalez-Chacon, 26, of Miami, said he had found cycling to be therapeutic.

"When I'm riding, I'm focused on the ride," he said "I'm not focused on my flashbacks. I'm not focused on seeing the dead bodies. I'm focused on a brighter picture."

Gonzalez-Chacon had just finished a 62-mile leg of a 425-mile cycling trip from Boston to Philadelphia that stopped in Fort Lee on Thursday afternoon.

He was among 200 veterans and supporters embarking on the sixth annual Ride 2 Recovery challenge, a program that promotes cycling as an alternative therapy for mentally and physically injured military members returning from combat.

Cyclists coming off Route 4 from Newburgh, N.Y,. arrived in waves to cheers of "We love you," "Good job" and "Welcome back" from fellow riders. Later, they lined up outside the DoubleTree Hotel to hydrate and congratulate each other.

The group set off Friday morning for Princeton. From there, they are scheduled to complete the trip to Philadelphia today.

Ride 2 Recovery targets military personnel returning from combat with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and a variety of physical ailments, including many who have lost limbs. Many said they learned of the ride through Veterans Affairs programs.

In addition to the exercise, riders said the program provided a certain camaraderie.

"One of the biggest draws that got me here is having so many people around that can speak the same language and can get the issues that I deal with," said Marine Cpl. Ulysses Adams.

Adams, who decorated his jersey with three military pins, was a helicopter crew chief during the December 1998 bombing of Iraq known as Operation Desert Fox, where violence left him with back, arm and nerve injuries and PTSD.

"I've been out of the military for 13 years and it's still very hard to try to adjust to the world outside of the military," Adams said.

Adams said he saw cycling as more than just a workout.

"I like to be involved with life and life moves," he said.

Joining military members were supporters who helped push custom-made recumbent bikes for those who lost limbs. Some also rode tandem bikes.

Wyckoff native Chris Reynen, who helped push bikes, said he became involved in Ride 2 Recovery while working for a company that does business for UnitedHealthcare, a title sponsor of the challenge.

"You're riding alongside or pushing somebody who has one limb, or no limbs," Reynen said. "And they're going up a hill as fast as you are and it's just incredible."

Robert Keating, an avid cycler, was an Army medic stationed in Germany from 1987 to 1990. Keating, who personally trains veterans for cycling events, said he saw trainees benefit for a variety of reasons.

"They're getting out and they're getting to do something that is healthy, feels good and social," Keating said.

One of Keating's trainees from the Naval Medical Center in San Diego where he works is Navy veteran Gileen Paschal, who joined him on the ride.

"If it was not for him I would not be doing this today," Paschal, 51, said of Keating.